District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia (left) and District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez, both of whom are also running for mayor, want to launch a program that helps laid off federal workers find work with the city. Credit: Facebook

Two City Council members want to launch a program expediting the city’s of hiring federal workers who have fallen victim to billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

On Monday, Adriana Rocha Garcia (District 4) and Manny Pelaez (District 8) — both of whom are running for mayor — filed a formal request for council to consider a proposal to let the city recruit federal workers who lost jobs in the Trump White House’s mass firings of government staff.

“Federal employees bring valuable experience and skillsets that can greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our city,” Pelaez said in a statement. “San Antonio has always stood by its residents in times of need, and through this initiative, we can once again reaffirm our commitment to the well-being and stability of our community.”

Under the Re-employment Assistance for Federal Talent (RAFT) program floated by Rocha Garcia and Pelaez, the city would both consider filling new jobs with terminated federal workers and step up recruitment of those workers. The proposal also would streamline the hiring and onboarding process.

Additionally, under RAFT, the city could offer federal employee-specific Ready to Work job training and job fairs with local employers looking to hire recently terminated government staff. The city also could coordinate with nonprofits to provide job search help, workers compensation claims and rental assistance, among other services.

The request Rocha Garcia and Pelaez filed Monday needs signatures from three other council members before it can be debated by the full council for adoption as a city ordinance.

“Workforce reductions come with implications that affect entire communities,” Rocha Garcia said in a statement. “The unprecedented, sweeping cuts affecting our nation have hit San Antonio harder than any other Texas city, so acting fast to mitigate the consequences should continue to be prioritized. We as a city can mobilize to help our neighbors, and the RAFT program is our first start.”

To Rocha Garcia’s point, federal non-military employees make up about 3% of the San Antonio area’s workforce, giving it among the highest ratios of federal employees of any U.S. metro. Economists warn DOGE’s continued layoffs could lead to downturns in cities nationwide.

Rocha Garcia and Pelaez aren’t the only local officials jumping on the opportunity to hire well-qualified federal workers. Earlier this week, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said his department wants to bring on government employees caught in DOGE’s crosshairs.

“To me, it is a no-brainer,” Salazar told TV station KENS5. “You’ve got people willing to serve. You’ve got people frustrated with this process over here. We are saying come over and give Bexar County a try.”

The Sheriff’s Office is looking to fill 50 vacancies as soon as possible. Federal workers who pass the department’s written and physical exam will receive a conditional employment offer on the spot, according to Salazar.

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